Today at the Arizona state meet legend Ron Johnson after setting a new American Record in the 200 breastroke suffered a severe heart attack in the warm down pool. Thankfully the lifeguards and masters swimmer/physician Kurt Dickson and others we're able to start immediate life support until paramedics arrived and rushed him to the hospital
As of 5pm this evening all I know is that Ron had had regained consciousness, appeared to have not suffered brain damage and was breathing on his own...however he did have 5-6 clogged arteries and was going into immediate open heart surgery.....please send your prayers and thoughts this evening for his recovery....
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Former Member
I am thinking of Ron Johnson a lot, although I do not know him. I am new to masters swimming, and only this weekend swam in my first meet about 20 months after a heart attack. I was 44 at the time. The earlier point about vascular health is extremely important--you don't know what you don't know. I count myself lucky, not only because I survived, but because I know that I have vascular issues and take a raft of medications, watch my diet, etc.
I hope Ron escaped damage to his heart tissue. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am thinking of Ron Johnson a lot, although I do not know him. I am new to masters swimming, and only this weekend swam in my first meet about 20 months after a heart attack. I was 44 at the time. The earlier point about vascular health is extremely important--you don't know what you don't know. I count myself lucky, not only because I survived, but because I know that I have vascular issues and take a raft of medications, watch my diet, etc.
I hope Ron escaped damage to his heart tissue. He will be in my thoughts and prayers.
